Caritas Rwanda says more Burundians are seeking asylum

Caritas Rwanda says the number of Burundian citizens fleeing Burundi, for fear of “Imbonerakure,” the Burundi ruling party’s youth wing has increased.  Within a few weeks the number of people seeking asylum has grown from 5,000 to more than 8,000. Most of the arrivals are children, accompanied by their mothers.  Caritas Rwanda expects the numbers to increase even further as Burundians flee pre-election violence.

As the Burundian  refugee crisis in Rwanda starts to escalate, two reception centres have been set up in Bugesera and at Nyanza by UN agencies. The Secretary General of Caritas Rwanda, Father Anaclet Mwumvaneza has been to meet some of the newly arrived Burundian refugees. The refugees urgently need hand-washing facilities; toilets and showers; clothes and mosquito nets.

In Burundi, opposition parties have told media that the youth wing of Burundi’s ruling party is at the centre of most threats, harassment, violence and deaths of those seen as opposed to the ruling party’s plans.

Earlier this month, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza called for the repatriation of Burundian citizens who have fled to Rwanda. He told them to return within one month.

According to Reliefweb, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) says it has been assured by Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs that there will be no refoulement of Burundian refugees and that Rwanda will assume its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, in particular the 1951 Convention.

Last month, Burundi’s Catholic Bishops declared in a statement that the incumbent President, Pierre Nkurunziza was not eligible to stand for a third and unconstitutional term in this year’s June elections. Similarly, Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete also warned that Burundi risks civil strife if President Nkurunziza did not abide by the constitution which prevents him from running for another term.

Rwandan President, Paul Kagame met his Burundian counterpart, Pierre Nkurunziza on Monday.  He is said to have raised the matter of refugees and political turmoil in Burundi.

Burundi’s general elections are scheduled for 26 June.

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